The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
